Switch lock for motor vehicles



I ct. 28.. 1924 D. F. DOWNES SWITCH LOCK FOR MOTOR VEHICLES v OriginalFiled April 12, 1920 Patented Get. 28, 192

DENIS FRANCIS DOWNES, OF COBURG, NEAR MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

SWITCH LOCK FOR IEOTOR VEHICLES.

Original application filed April 12, 1920, Serial No. 373,292. Dividedand this application filed August 31,

T all to hem it may concern.

Be it known that I, DENIS FRANoIs DowNns, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at 31 Coburg Street, Gol'mrg', near Melbourne, in theState of Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Switch Locks for Motor Vehicles, of which thetollowingis a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in means for use in lockingmotor-vehicles against unauthorized use and interference. The presentapplication is a division 01" my application filed 12th April, 1920,Serial Number 373,292.

Switch-locks as now commonly employed do not afford adequate protectionagainst loss of or unauthorized use or interference with the vehicles towhich they are applied, by reason of being mounted upon the faceboard insuch manner that the latter can be sawn through, when the switch isreadily removable and the wires can be re-connected, only requiring forsuch purpose the use of tools of simple character.

The present invention provides a switch locking device which is operableby a key,

whereby th ignition circuit is broken and is locked against re-making,said locking device being characterized by having its principalfunctional elements fitted to the engine side of the dashboard, and bythe provision of protective metal strips interposed between saiddashboard and said lock and switch.

Th invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein z"-Figure 1 is a View in sectional elevation, and

oigure 2 is asectional end elevation.

In these views the numeral 4 designates the dashboard of a motor-carupon which the switch locking device is mounted.

Fitted to the engine side 5 of the dashboard are two strips 6 and 7 ofsheet metal, one or which is preferably thinner than the other. Thesemetal strips are for protective purposes to ensure the safety of thedevice, as in the event of an attempt being made to cut it out by sawingthrough the dashboard, the two strips of sheet metal will break a sawblade used for such purpose.

Serial No. 497,348.

A metal bracket 8 is fitted to the engine side of the dashboard by meansof screws 9 passing through said protective strips 6 and 7.

A snap-switch 10 of ordinary construction is carried by said bracket 8,and to the finger ball of the switch operating lever 11 an extension orarm 12 is secured as by means of a screw 13.

T he arm 12- is mixed to the inner side of a barrel 14- of an ordinarypin and barrel lock 15 adapted to be operated by means of the well-knownflute-d and serrated key 16.

This lock 15 is secured on the engine side of the dashboard by screws 17or the like fastenings passing through said plates 6 and 7, the base ofthe bracket 8 and lugs 18 on the barrel of said lock.

The switch 10 is furnished with a protective casingr or cover 19.' Holes20 are formed through the base of the bracket 8 and through theprotective metal strips 6 and 7 to accommodate the arm 12 connecting thebarrel of the lock with the switch-operating lever.

lhe key 16 cannot be withdrawn from the lock 15 until the switch hasbeen placed at the off position.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is In a. device for looking a motor-vehicleagainst unauthorized use and interference, an ignition-control switchmounted on the engine side of the instrument board of the vehicle andhaving an operating lever provided with a ball, a lock secured on saidboard adjacently to said switch, and a rotatable member in said lock, anarm con necting said rotatable member with the ball of the switchoperating: lever, and a pluralitymof: protective strips interposed between said dashboard and said lock and switch, substantially asdescribed.

r In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in'presence of twowitnesses.

DENIS FRANCIS DOWNES. Witnesses JAMES H. ANDERSON, JUNE B. SYMEs.

